Middle East: Violence erupts as Israel conducts airstrikes

Israel conducted several airstrikes on the Gaza Strip following the protests held by Palestinians at the Gaza-Israel border to mark the burning of the Al-Aqsa mosque in 1969 turned violent.

Israeli PM Neftali Bennet had vowed to respond to the shooting of an Israeli soldier at the border after the stone-pelting protestors fired gunshots.

The blockade in-effect since late May when tensions spiked after protests held against the eviction of six Palestinian families turned violent. Stones were thrown at the Israeli police and the Al-Aqsa mosque was then stormed to disperse the crowds that had gathered.

The May crisis ignited protests all over the World, mostly influenced by fake news that claimed far-right Israelis allegedly celebrating the “attack on the mosque,” but were in fact celebrating Jerusalem Day. Over 4000 rockets were fired at Israel during the conflict and in response Israel conducted over 900 attacks on the Gaza Strip, mostly airstrikes that resulted in the demolition of over 90 buildings, according to a UN estimate. The videos were seen all across the globe creating more animosity between Palestinian and Israeli supporters. A building housing media officials was also hit during the campaign and it sparked criticism and condemnation from media organizations and personnel around the World.

A ceasefire was then signed between the two and since then a blockade was in-effect at the Israel-Gaza border.

On Saturday, as stones were thrown at the forces, the protests got more violent when gunshots were heard and an Israeli soldier was injured. IDF in response reportedly fired stun grenades at the protestors in a bid to disperse the crowds but explosives were thrown on the wall while some Palestinians also tried to cross over, airstrikes were then conducted.